Al Unser Sr. | 1939-2021

On December 9th, it was announced that Al Unser, after a long battle with cancer, had died peacefully at his home in New Mexico at the age of 82. Tributes had poured in from those who knew him well, which included the likes of his son, 2-time Indy 500 winner, Al Unser Jr. and fellow four-time Indy 500 winners Helio Castroneves, Rick Mears, and the great A.J. Foyt.

His successes in Indycar and in other motorsports

"Big Al" won the 1970 Indycar title with Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing, followed by 2 more in 1983 and 1985, with Penske.

Aside from his 3 Indycar championships, Unser had achieved 2 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb victories in 1964 and 1965, the 1985 24 Hours of Daytona, driving alongside A.J. Foyt, Thierry Boutsen, and Bob Wollek, and the 1977-1978 IROC title.

But how can we forget his most stellar achievement, his 4 Indy 500 victories. The 4 victories came in 1970, 1971, 1978, and 1987.

The 1987 Indianapolis 500 | Big Al's 4th victory

His victory in 1987 was a very special one, not only because he then became the second driver to win 4 championships, or because he then became the oldest Indy 500 winner at 47. Unser was drafted in as Danny Ongais' replacement after Ongais suffered a concussion in practice. The car Unser would be using was originally entered as a back up car. The car was a one year old March 86C. Unser would eventually start 20th in the race. The start of the 500 saw Unser narrowly avoid a spinning Josele Garza.

During the race, the 1969 Indy 500 winner, Mario Andretti led the race from pole position. The first half saw Unser move up into 4th place, while Andretti pulled away from the pack. By the second
half, Andretti had continued his streak of dominance, while leading Colombian driver, Roberto Guerrero by several seconds. As for Unser, he was nearly two laps down in 3rd place. Later on in the race, the "Andretti curse" would work its black magic, as Andretti experienced mechanical issues and slowed down. He would then pull into the pit lane to have the issue resolved by his team.

The Andretti curse strikes again!

The Andretti curse strikes again!

This meant that the lead was handed over to Roberto Guerrero and 2nd place to Unser. At the same time, the pair unlapped themselves. Things were shaping up to be good for Guerrero, as he lapped Unser. Guerrero then came into the pits to refuel. But once the Colombian was ready to exit his pit box, the engine stalled. His crew started up his engine again, and with great misfortune, Guerrero's engine stalled again. The car was pulled back into the pit box, while Unser unlapped himself and took the lead of the race.

1987 would not be the first time Guerrero had bad luck at the speedway. For the 1992 race, he had spun out on the parade lap from pole position.

1987 would not be the first time Guerrero had bad luck at the speedway. For the 1992 race, he had spun out on the parade lap from pole position.

And there it was, Al Unser Sr. being drafted in as a replacement in a one year old March chassis, leading the 1987 Indy 500. The crowds were cheering with emotion, as Unser crossed the line to win his 4th Indy 500. After the race, both Al and the late Bobby Unser were congratulated on the victory. Both Unsers even exchanged words to each other during the broadcast.

Seeing how everything played out from start to finish, it had made this very special victory the way it turned out to be, not only for Al Unser, but for the hundreds of thousands who witnessed his drive at the speedway.

Godspeed, Big Al.

Al Unser Sr. was a giant in the world of Indycar racing, as well as a driver who left an impact on fellow drivers, teams, and the Unser Dynasty. He raced alongside some other great names in the Indycar scene, such as Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Danny Sullivan, and Emerson Fittipaldi, not to mention his older brother, Bobby, and his son, Little Al.

Al Unser will forever be remembered in the hearts of many racing fans. Godspeed, Big Al.